RASTER INPUT SCANNER WITH SHORT AND LONG INTEGRATION PERIODS

In a raster input scanner, an original image is converted into digital image data. A scanning bar having at least one array of photosites is moved relative to the original image, whereby the photosites are sequentially exposed to light within a range of intensities reflected from locations on the original image. Each of the image signals from the photosites is integrated as the scanning bar moves relative to the original image, some signals being integrated for a first duration to yield a long-integration image datum, and some signals being integrated for a second duration shorter than the first duration to yield a short-integration image datum. One of the long-integration image datum and the short-integration datum is selected for each location in the original image, depending on the intensity of light associated with the location in the original image.